Diagnostic Challenges in Ovarian Hyperthecosis: Clinical Presentation with Subdiagnostic Testosterone Levels

    January 2022 in “ Case Reports in Endocrinology
    S. Shah, Callie Torres, Naser Eddin Gharaibeh
    TLDR Ovarian hyperthecosis can cause symptoms even with normal testosterone levels, and surgery can improve these symptoms.
    The document discussed the diagnostic challenges of ovarian hyperthecosis in postmenopausal women, highlighting two cases where patients exhibited symptoms of hyperandrogenism despite having testosterone levels below the standard diagnostic threshold. Both patients underwent oophorectomy, which led to significant improvements in their HbA1c and serum testosterone levels. The study emphasized the importance of considering ovarian hyperthecosis in the differential diagnosis when postmenopausal women present with symptoms of virilization or insulin resistance, even if testosterone levels are not markedly elevated. The findings suggested a need for revisiting diagnostic guidelines to better understand the disease's pathophysiology and clinical presentation.
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